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Updated cities visited map

My second blog post included how many cities I've pinned on Tripadvisors' map. Here is an update, but again they don't really have every city. Plus, I can't realistically remember every city I've been to, or through.

211.

Non-scientific study

I have done extensive research on something and keep arriving at the same conclusion - the more time I spend in an airport, the more money I spend. And there is a factor that probably doubles or triples this effect - being in an international airport.

Just for some clarification....I do not fall for the "duty free" crap. I know that stuff isn't really as good of a deal as they want you to believe. In part because I live in a state where I already don't pay sales tax on clothes, shoes etc. But even without the tax you may be paying more than if you simply bought the product at your local Target or mall. Especially cosmetics!

The draw, for me, especially in international airports are products I can't easily get at home. I just bought several boxes at the Amsterdam airport of stroopwaffels. A delicious, sweet waffle-like thing with caramel sandwiched between. There are versions available in the US, but these are better! (Yes, another non-scientific study.)

I also picked up two huge bags of Haribo gummy bears. (One for Andy, and one for my friend PMS.). The flavors available here are slightly different than what I've enjoyed in the US.

I spent lots of time looking at the liquors, but I know they are cheaper at home.

See previous post for my new solution to this shopping problem.

Airport lounges

For reasons I don't really understand, my status with Delta airlines entitles me to free lounge access abroad. I have to pay to enter Delta's lounges in the US, but I get in free outside of the US.

Today was the first time I've taken advantage of lounge facilities. It is mostly quiet in the lounge at the Oslo airport....just one guy gabbering on his mobile phone.

I can help myself to soda, water - still and sparkling, wine - red and white, beer, coffee, tea, and there is food too! Cheese, ham, cereal and yogurt.

And perhaps the best two parts - internet access and line-free toilets.

I like the lounge! It even feels a little spa-like. But....I'm not sure I would pay for it unless perhaps I had a long layover.

Another bonus -- the more time I spend in the lounge the less time I spend shopping. It is almost like I am being paid to relax in the lounge!

Rude and obnoxious tourists

I've heard many times that Americans are hated abroad because of their behavior and unwillingness to learn the local language. I resent that stereotype as an American, but I am about to make the same one about people from another country.

First...I traveled around Japan for two weeks. I found everyone to be very polite and helpful. The only behavior I encountered that was odd was how the people in Tokyo would stare at us. Perhaps they were judging? Or maybe just curious about us large blond people.

I've encountered many Japanese tourists in my last few weeks of travel. They are loud, rude and act as if they are the only people on the planet. I was physically pushed twice so one of them could get ahead of me in line. Do they realize or care about the reputation they are creating?

It could, perhaps, be said that Americans don't act differently abroad. If they are rude at home they will be rude elsewhere. And I do know plenty of loud and obnoxious Americans. But the Japanese tourists I've encountered are very different from the gracious people I met in Tokyo and other cities in Japan. Maybe their culture is so rigid at home travel is their escape from being polite?

Or is this all evidence of people struggling to understand people from other places, or people who look different?

Buses, trains and a boat

Also known as Norway in a Nutshell. This was the perfect tour with my parents. My feet don't hurt and I saw lots of Norway.

We were supposed to start on a train out of Oslo. Their train station is closed. The whole thing...not just some tracks. Weird. So we started on a bus that took us to a train.

While my feet didn't hurt, my arse does after sitting on a train for hours. Not a complaint. I saw beautiful country, quaint little towns and snow. Yep - lots of snow.

And lots of waterfalls which must be a result of snow melting. It is July so the snow must be melting.

We then got on a ferry, in the rain, for a two-hour fjord cruise. I love water. We had terrible visibility because of fog....or were we in the clouds?

Our adventure began at 6:30 am and we didn't get back to Oslo until 10 pm. Long day. Full day. The scheduling was very precise and I appreciate everything that was packed into a single day; but the most we had at any stop was 15 minutes. Most of the beauty and splendor had to be appreciated en route because there was no time for exploring any of the quaint little towns.

I can imagine doing a similar trip on my own sometime, but I will rent a car and drive the big parts of it so I have more flexibility. I would still take the Flam train and the boat though.

Voss, Norway

My great-grandmother Helena (see earlier family tree post) was from Voss. She left Norway at 18 for America. It doesn't appear as though Helena was her birth name, but was the one she adopted after moving country.

I am traveling with my parents, and this was the part of the trip my mom was most excited about.....even though she didn't really know her grandmother very well. Due to economic hardships my grandmother was given up for adoption as a young girl. My mom loved the woman who adopted her mom. Loved her very much, and was very close to her. My grandmother, who I loved very much, never held a grudge. Ever. She tried to maintain close relationships with her birth mother, and other family members.

My grandma always told me I look just like her mom. She might be right, but I think I have the personality of my other Norwegian great-grandmother - Kaja.

End of the additional family tree stuff....

We didn't spend much time in Voss, but it is lovely. Beautiful lake and picturesque mountains.